In December 1943, the United States army led an offensive into Italy to stop the Nazi's Operation: Time Ghost. Dispatched to the region were members of the Invaders. While clashing with Nazi forces members of the Invaders along with Private Paul Anselm were brought forward in time to the 21st Century by the Cosmic Cube.[3] Anselm returned to the past with the Cosmic Cube to save the lives of his fellow soldiers who were wounded in the initial attack, but the Cube instead fell into the hands of the Red Skull who used it to warp reality into a world where the Nazis ruled,[4] however, the combined efforts of the Invaders and future New Avengers and Mighty Avengers restored reality to normal.[5]

In 1944, the soldiers of Camp Lehigh were dispatched to southern Italy to liberate it from Nazi control. The mission was a success thanks to the assistance of Captain America and Bucky.[6] On January 22, 1944, Combat Kelly, Cookie Novak and Captain Thorn helped liberate the town of Anzio[7] and on February 1, 1944, Combat Kelly and Cookie Novak helped Allied Forces remove Nazis camped out at St. Benedict's Cathedral.[8] In May, Combat Casey and Penny Pennington were present during the battle at Monte Cassino.[9] Casey and Pennington were also active along the coast in July of that year,[10] and Combat Kelly and Cookie fought in the town of Leghorn that same month.[11]

In 1954, international criminal the Hypnotist attempted to enlist the Italian Mafia into his attempt to overthrow the governments the world, this plot was foiled by the Human Torch and Toro.[12]